My Reading Life

Slice of Life Stories - Find more at the Two Writing Teachers blog every Tuesday!

Lately, it seems, I've been more involved in the discovery of great books!  It's almost like they are landing in my lap!  I have had several conversations recently with collegues about books, read about new books that people are recommending on blogs I read and had the pleasure of experiencing new books with my own children.

So, what am I reading?

At school, my students and I have been reading and studying David Shannon.  Of course, we have read and enjoyed many of his David books (No David, David Goes to School, David Gets into Trouble, David Smells), as well as many others.  During this study, I have come across a few of Shannon's titles that were new to me.  Alice the Fairy, Good Boy Fergus and A Bad Case of Stripes have all become new favorites for my students.  We are looking forward to reading How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball tomorrow!

At home, our tastes are quite varied!  My nine-year-old loves nonfiction, biographies, and "science-y" books.  This week we have been reading a biography about Martin Luther King, Jr., the Encyclopedia of Planet Earth, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever.

My six-year-old, on the other hand, loves picture books! Her favorites this week were Mo Willem's Pigeon books and Elephant and Piggy books, her new nonfiction favorite Penguins, and her nursery rhyme treasury book that she's been reading to her little sister.

Then there is my three-year-old, who doesn't have the love for books that my older two children have (insert large Mama sigh here).  She enjoys listening to stories on occasion but only when it is her idea.  When she's in the mood, she loves all of the Anna Dewdney Llama books (Llama Llama Mad at Mama is the all time favorite), Pinkalicious and Easy Street by Rita Gray (I'm pretty sure it's the clay figures and artwork in the book that she is drawn to since she isn't much into machinery in any other way).

And not to leave anyone out, I'm also reading baby board books!  My seven-month-old has just begun to enjoy books.  Of course, she mostly enjoys eating them!  She has several nursery rhyme books and touchy feely books that she is enjoys (and nibbles) right now.  But, most of all, she enjoys a book called Toys - a simple board book with a different toy picture on each page and a bright red cover.

What is Mama reading?  Well, not much.  Most of the time, I get a few minutes of reading in at the end of the day...after dinner, clean-up, play time, bath time, bed time and school work....if I can stay awake long enough!  Lately, I have been enjoying the newest Food Network magazine (I love finding a new recipe to try out!).  I am also reading a professional book for a book talk with my grade level team at school.  We are reading Talking, Drawing, Writing by Martha Horn and Mary Ellen Giacobbe.  This is actually my second full reading of this book...although I have read some parts multiple times.  It's amazing!

What are you reading?